Ariza shoots poorly in OT loss to his old team

November 5th, 2009, 6:00 am · 23 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer

The Lakers won Round One vs. Trevor Ariza and the Rockets on Wednesday, although it took overtime (for the second consecutive night on the road) to do so.

What that costs the overworked Lakers starters down the road remains to be seen. Kobe Bryant scored 41 points for the second time in three games, and he had 72 in the back-to-back OT road games, a very impressive feat.

I once saw Magic Johnson get 20 assists each in back-to-back road games at Houston and Atlanta, and Bryant’’s feat ranks right there.

Ron Artest also had 15 points in his return to Houston, but he shot better. He had six rebounds and one assist.

Kobe Bryant at the end (The Associated Press)

Ariza is expected to score for Houston, which would not have been the case as a Laker for several years, and he looked to pressing the issure, especially in the first half. But his hustle and athleticism would still help the Lakers.

Both he and Artest were barely outscored by the Lakers bench, which did put up a 16/11 double double. But Houston’s Carl Lowry scored 20 of the Rockets’ 28 points.

An Ariza turnover sealed the deal, and the former Laker did not have a very good shooting game. Ariza had 15 points on 5 of 21 from the field, but did add nine rebounds and five assists.

As someone who would have liked for Artest and Ariza to both be Lakers, I have come in for a some criticism, which is no big deal. Ron-Ron does make things interesting, and he’s still a fine player.

I got one smart-aleck comment recently when I mentioned Ariza was only 24. Someone pointed out the Lakers are trying to win now. Thanks. I remember them winning last season with Ariza when he was 23, and he was no passenger.

Pardon me, I have to go light a candle now for Derek Fisher, who has logged 68 minutes the past two nights.

Sure, that’s the lightest workload amongst the Lakers starters, but it’s still too much.

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thechampishere says:

November 5, 2009 at 7:00 am

Either get on board w/ the Lakers program or ship the hell out Bloom. Yes, Ariza is younger than Artest and full of so much potential but he isn’t HERE anymore so drop it!

Instead of embracing Artest and this new Laker lineup you tend to dwell on the past. If you have an issue w/ the offseason move (which apparently you do) then address it toward Ariza’s agent. The Lakers spoke to Ariza before Ron. The Lakers offered Ariza a deal that he scoffed at.

I as many other Laker fans loved having Ariza on the team. But it’s over and it’s time to move on. I don’t care if he’s 6 years younger. I don’t care that he’s avg 20ppg. I don’t care that he has untapped potential. I wish him the best but now my support is for the newest Laker and the positives he provides the team.

Artest didn’t look so “old” when he was shutting down Joe Johnson, Durant, and now Trevor. Go follow the Rockets if your infatuation for Ariza runs that deep Bloom.

Kareem Butler says:

November 5, 2009 at 7:26 am

I totally agree with the last post, everyone has blamed Laker Management but we had 3 players to resign: Ariza, Shannon Brown and L.O. . L.O. took LESS money to come back, Ariza was given a fair offer but his agents greed kept him from taking it even though there were no better offers out there. And his agent should have done him homework and known that Artest was going to be available, has a mutually respectful relationship with Kobe, a long friendship with Odom, and has always had the eye of Phil Jackson.

I’m still a big Ariza fan and I hope he does well in Houston. Having said that I’m a Laker fan first and Artest is now a Laker so I’m supporting a rooting for Ron Ron. Plus we are going to need his size against the bigger SF in the league.

Earl Bloom, staff writer says:

November 5, 2009 at 8:48 am

Why don’t you send me a list of topics you’d like me to cover, so I could tailor my work around your personal needs?

You’re pretty sensitive to the fact Ariza is 24, and I guess to the fact that as of this month, five of the top six players in the Lakers rotation will be 30 or more. Artest’s age is not a problem, not now. I don’t know how many times I have to write that he is a good player, but you don’t seem to get it.

This team is getting old. Sure they should win a championship or two before they’re done. They better, because I have no idea where the next one after those is coming from.

They don’t have any draft picks, ever, and it seems like some can’t wait for the contracts of Farmar, Vujacic etc. to run out, so I guess this is going to become the NBA’s Yankees. Good luck finding cap room.

As far as getting on board with the Lakers program, I am not a fan. I am not paid to be a fan. I have covered teams that were champions, and others that were chumps. I don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing, or writing under a screen name.

Based on the reaction to my first post this season when Ariza scored 33, I thought it was required of me to follow up, especially when he played against the Lakers.

So so sorry to offend you.

Pinky says:

November 5, 2009 at 9:04 am

Earl, you are awesome.

Really, thanks for responding to us scrubs commenting on here. I mean that without sarcasm.

Talking about sports is fun, really in the end it’s entertainment, and I feel you make things entertaining.

Don’t change, you old fart, and I mean that sincerely!
jonnybravo says:

November 5, 2009 at 9:35 am

Earl,

re: Age issue.

I think the point that isn’t being discussed regarding the age issue is that Artest’s prime also coincides with the prime of Kobe, LO and Gasol. That’s one factor in the Lakers’ decision making process. It’s

The second factor is played an even more prominent part in them going after Artest imo. According to all reports, the Lakers had two options.

1. Sign a proven player that is willing at the moment to sign for the amount the Lakers had in mind.

2. Negotiate with the younger player’s agent who immediately put the organization on blast and made demands near 10M a year. Let’s not forget this same agent was AB’s agent last summer who did the exact same slash and burn tactic in negotiating for his client.

The Lakers weren’t going to play game #2 when option #1 was available. Given the time sensitivity of the negotiation process, you snooze you lose and Mitch pulled the trigger on 1.

Not as clear cut as you paint it Earl.
jonnybravo says:

November 5, 2009 at 9:36 am

Earl,

Is it possible to edit posts? Working + goofing off on the OCR isn’t conducive to good grammar.
- Earl Bloom, staff writer says:
  
  November 5, 2009 at 2:54 pm
  
  Just re-post and send me a note on the bottom of it if you want the original removed.

Brizzle says:

November 5, 2009 at 9:48 am

“I got one smart-aleck comment recently when I mentioned Ariza was only 24. Someone pointed out the Lakers are trying to win now. Thanks. I remember them winning last season with Ariza when he was 23, and he was no passenger.”

If I write smart-aleck comments the you write smart-aleck posts.

You say you remember them winning with Ariza, but it seems you’ve forgotten how Ariza was completely and utterly abused by Carmelo Anthony. Remember the lakers having to use Kobe to guard Carmelo and Kobe describing it as “wrestling with a bear”? Ron gives us the luxury of having a lock-down physical defender that Trevor could never be. Kobe no longer has to overexert himself on defense and can focus on offense. Ron will prove his worth when we face Lebron, Carmelo, and Paul Pierce.

Keeping Trevor would have been fine if other teams had not reloaded as well. Boston improved, Orlando switched up, and so did San Antonio. What may have been enought o win last year my not be enough this year.

On their roster right now, the Lakers have one of the greatest players to EVER play the game. It doesn’t make sense to sacrifice the now for a slightly better chance to win later, The Lakers have a great opportunity to win no. why would they risk that for a good opportunity to win in a couple years.

Yes, this team should “win a championship or two before they’re done” if not more. Don’t forget Bynum,who looks like the future centerpiece is only 22 and all the other guys have at least 5 good years left in them.

Don’t worry about where “the next one after those” comes from. Yes they may be at the middle of the barrel for a while but there’s a reason the Buss family has won 9 championships since acquiring this franchise, just because YOU have no clue doesn’t mean the Buss family doesn’t.

Thanks for reading the comments Earl

Earl Bloom, staff writer says:

November 5, 2009 at 1:09 pm

I covered the Buss family and the Lakers during the first five championships.

I also remember the 12 seasons between titles, and how much it frustrated the fans.

My contention is the Lakers could have had Artest AND Ariza. George Steinbrenner would.

Thank for your reply.
- lender30 says:
  
  November 5, 2009 at 10:53 pm
  
  Steinbrenner would get Lebron or Wade to work with Kobe next year. Unfortunately, he doesn’t own the Lakers.. Can you imagine if he did own the Lakers. Wow!!!

Paul says:

November 5, 2009 at 10:30 am

The Lakers always find a way. Im pretty sure Earl didn’t think the Lakers would win again with Kobe after Shaq left. Ill take the next 4 or 5 years of being in the mix and getting another 2 or 3 championships out of it.
Us Laker fans know the Lakers might have 2 or 3 bad years after this run, but they would still have those 2 or 3 bad years with Ariza on the team. He is a good role player not a star. The Lakers are built on Stars and im pretty sure they were not going to turn the team over to Ariza when the old guys retire.
The Lakers have been good for over 30 years. they missed the playoffs once this decade. They were good in the 90’s and found a way to get back to the championship leval. They would have been better but Magic had to retire early.
Earl, this is the Lakers, not the Clippers.

titi says:

November 5, 2009 at 10:33 am

i miss trevor. the lakers really miss him and fans that think ron’s better are not watching the team play. ron most of the time is lost out there.

thechampishere says:

November 5, 2009 at 10:45 am

It’s been 5 games Titi.

Give the man some time.

Ariza didn’t blossom until the latter half of last season lest you forget.

November 5, 2009 at 10:41 am

Bloom,

Don’t misconstrue my words for me being offended. There’s nothing you can do or say that would EVER offend me. My beef w/ you is the same old same old…

It’s Ariza is younger this…Ariza has so much potential…Artest is a volatile nut…

Now I’m hearing you complain that the Lakers won’t be on top maybe 5 years from now after winning possibly 2 or 3 titles in that span? Name one team that’s managed to consistently win year after year w/o rebuilding Bloom?

I swear you’re a killjoy Bloom. You may want to hang w/ TJ Simmers from LA Times. You both have so many of the same qualities in common. Annoying being the one that stands out the most.

Can’t wait to read your next post reminding us how much older the Lakers will be once Gasol officially turns 30…

Earl Bloom, staff writer says:

November 5, 2009 at 12:56 pm

The San Antonio Spurs.

The Lakers of the 80s.

The Bulls in the 90s.

The Celtics in the 60s.

There’s four.
- Paul says:
  
  November 5, 2009 at 1:20 pm
  
  Im pretty sure he said rebuilding. All the teams you listed went through a rebuilding stage or will (Spurs) go through a rebuilding stage when the star players leave. The Lakers did, The Bulls did and still are, The Celtics did, The Spurs will, and The Lakers will.
  
  The Lakers have rebuilt 2 times since 1990 and they have made the playoffs 17 of the last 19 years and 28 of the last 30 years. that doesn’t happen with luck.
  - Earl Bloom, staff writer says:
    
    November 5, 2009 at 3:12 pm
    
    The Celtics won after Bob Cousy retired. And Bill Sharman, too. K.C. and Sam Jones helped that process, so did a young man named John Havlicek.
    
    And the Spurs won after David Robinson retired. They have young players on their roster now. They don’t play all of them yet, but given their track record with drafting international players especially, I am sure some will be ready to step in. Hate me for it or not, but Tony Parker at 27 is much younger than four Lakers starters. Richard Jefferson is 29 and fits that category too, although neither are young players.
    
    The Bulls didn’t do a very good job of acquiring young players during the Jordan Run, and when he left, they also decided to let Scottie Pippen go, a la the Florida Marlins, although he has several very productive NBA seasons still left.
    
    The Lakers drafted Michael Cooper and A.C. Green, not in the lottery range either (I know it didn’t exist when Cooper came out). They also traded a late-round pick (Norm Nixon) for a fine young player named Byron Scott. Sure, they got a HUGE boost in trades that brought the picks for Magic Johnson and James Worthy, and I know that doen’t happen any longer.
    
    I guarantee you, there will be at least three players drafted in the second round in 2009 that will have long, productive careers. They could be the Lakers’ 14th man now, or they could be playing over others in a very suspect (with Odom starting) bench cast.
    
    But the Lakers’ last significant draftee was Bynum, and they sold their picks this year … which is kinda why I wanted Ariza to stick around, too. Do you realize if he plays as long as D-Fish, he will be playing against the Lakers for ELEVEN more seasons?
    
    And I can assume that as easily as you can assume the Lakers’ core players still have five quality seasons apiece. I hope they do, too. But I would not count on it. Stuff happens.

urdoo says:

November 5, 2009 at 11:47 am

Who cares?

Pinky says:

November 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Nobody.

Dang says:

November 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Put me in the Bloom sucks and his act is tired group.

When oh when are the powers that be at OC Register going to realize some of their writers are really really bad?

Ding for the win.

DANG

Anonymous says:

November 5, 2009 at 3:36 pm

Hey, the guy on the Rockets’ name is Carl Landry, unless you are talking about Kyle Lowry. Carl Landry is a forward (though undersized) and Kyle Lowry is a guard.

J-Dizzle says:

November 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm

Put me under the picture of everyone here is overexaggerating things and misreading and misinterpreting each other. In fact, everyone here is making a valid point and really all parties are right in some regards. I’m with Earl here though, the Lakers could have literally pulled a Yankees and signed both Ariza and Artest if they’d wanted. With the shoddy play of Vujacic, Ariza could have been a very solid backup to Kobe as we as backup to Artest and got significant minutes. We could have then used that opportunity to lay waste somehow to Morrison, Walton and/or Vujacic. Morrison is one guy who could have potentially been traded to a team for a lower salary player, cash and maybe a 2nd pick because of his expiring contract to a team who may have needed a shooter they wouldn’t have to commit to long term. Or even a combo of any 2 of the 3 to a team who needs some desperate depth and willing to offer up an expiring contract on the lower 20% side of their combined and saved the Lakers money this season and even more the following years.

Course… all ails could be forgiven if the Lakers pull the biggest coup of the offseason after this year.

Sign and Trade for LeBron James. Pau (my preference) or Bynum plus Odom or Artest, maybe a bench player and picks for LeBron. I love Pau, but if we’re thinking present and future, Bynum at 22 and LeBron at 24 would keep the Lakers contending long past when Kobe retires. If only we could have kept Ariza too. Ok i’m getting goose pimples.

November 5, 2009 at 5:14 pm

You mention the Spurs and Robinson. The Spurs have been around for years and have recently been a great franchise thanks to Duncan, not Robinson.

Are you seriously suggesting that once Duncan retires, Tony Parker will be able to carry the franchise? That he and RJ can produce championships? Is that what I’m hearing?

Players like Duncan, Kobe, LeBron, they’re once in a life time talents. There are a bunch of all-stars or potential all-stars in the NBA but only a select few have the capabilities to “carry” franchises. Robinson wasn’t that guy although he’s a HOFer.

You’re crazy if you think the Spurs will remain contenders when Duncan leaves. Their owner spent money like crazy this offseason because they realize the window to win another title will shut the moment Duncan is gone. Young talent isn’t the only answer. Just ask the Kings, Memphis, Warriors, Clippers etc etc.

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